Hand-openable top for cans



Feb. 12, 1957 L. FRIED CPENABLE TOP FOR CANS HAND- Filed 001;. 31, 1952 ATTORNEYS United States Patent HAND-OPENABLE TOP FOR CANS Louis Fried, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application October 31, 1952, Serial No. 318,129

16 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) The present invention relates to improvements in can tops such as used in canning food and beverages and more particularly relates to a hand-openable can top.

In cans of the prior art, it is usually necessary that a separate can opener be utilized for opening the can top. An objection to the use of separate can openers is that one must be available when it is desired to open a can. Furthermore, when using separate can openers, they must be either made so durable as to be able to open a large number of cans and, therefore, be expensive or they may be constructed inexpensively requiring frequent replacement. Can openers have heretofore been incorporated on cans, such as for example, the key-type of opener, but this type is notoriously difiicult to manipulate and there is always the chance that the key will become lost prior to use.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved can opening arrangement that is incorporated directly into a can top so as to be completely a hand-opened can, thereby obviating the requirement for separate, re-usable can openers, and yet which arrangement does not detract from the food-keeping properties of the can.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand-openable can top for food and beverage cans that will be simple and efiective in operation and yet which does not materially add to the cost of the can.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedhand-openable can top which embodies a can opening arrangement which is both simple and compact and of such nature as to permit the use of conventional can top feeding means in applying the can top to a can to be sealed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand-openable can top that remains in sealing relationship on the can while removing a portion of the can top, the removed can top portion providing means for fracturing the seal to provide access to the contents ofthe can for dispensing the same.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.

The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can embodying the improved can top of the present invention therein, part being broken away;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts of my improved can top;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane'of line 33 of Figure l and showing several dotted line positions of one of the clips and the halves of the center circular portion;

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the can top after the halves of the center circular can top portion havebeen folded together prior to removal; and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view showing the removed central circular can top portion and in the relationship providing a cutting tool.

Looking more particularly to the drawings and especially Figures 1 and 2, the component elements of the improved can top 10 for the conventional can C will now be described. Of course, the can C is of the usual structure made of sheet metal or other suitable material, the can being of cylindrical shape at 12 although cans of rectangular cross-section are also contemplated and fall within the scope of my invention. The can has the usual bottom 14 sealingly secured thereto as by the seam at 16 and the upper end of the can is open and provided with a peripheral flange at 18, as seen in Figure 3.

The can top 10 is comprised of a substantially flat plate 20, circular in the instant showing since it is to be applied to a cylindrical can, of material similar to that of which the can C is made, a pair of clips 22 and 24 and a frangible circular disc 26.

The plate 20 is in certain respects similar to conventional can tops in that it has the usual depressed portions and annular ridges. For example, the center-most portion of the plate is depressed at 28, has a raised annular portion at 38, an arcuate rib at 32, and a flat annular portion 34 substantially coplanar with the portion at 30. The periphery of the plate 20 is formed with a flange at 36 of the usual form for cooperation with flange 18 of the open can top edge, as will be understood.

The plate 20 is otherwise dilferent from the conventional can top in that it is provided with a pair of arcuate or substantially semi-circular slits at 38 and 40 and a.

pair of slots at 42 and 44. The slits 38 and 40 are of a very fine nature, that is, the portions separated by the slits abut each other. The ends 46 and 48 of the slit 38 terminate in juxtaposition to the ends 50 and 52 of the slit 40 so as to provide narrow frangible joinders orjunctures 54 and 56 between the central circular portion bounded by the slits 38 and 40 and the peripheral can top portion outwardly of the slits. The central circular portion 28 is provided with a substantially radial slit 58 extending to the arcuate slit 40 midway between the ends of that slit for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The plate 20 has the slots 42 and 44 located oppositely from each other in the annular portion 34 just inwardly of the flange 36, the slot 44 being on the radial line of the slit 58.

The improved can top 10 is further comprised of the pair of clips 22 and 24. The clips are substantially identical with the exception that there is provided some mark of distinguishment such as a difference in colors to facilitate proper can opening. Clip 22 is, in the embodiment shown, colored red whereas the clip 24 is colored black. The clip 22 is of substantially U-shape with one long leg 60 and the other short leg 62 in substantial parallelism joined by the bight portion at 64. Clip 24 similarly is comprised of a long leg 66, short leg 68 and bight portion 70. v

To complete the can top assembly, there is provided the frangible disc 26 which is made of thin plastic material that is non-toxic, non-deleterious to any food or beverage in the can and which remains substantially unaffected by extreme changes in temperature and otherwise meets food health requirements. As here shown, the disc 26 is formed of polyethylene (gauge .003 to .005). The diameter of the disc is greater than that of the plate 20 as the peripheral portion of the disc 26 must be conformed with the underside of the plate 20 with its peripheral flange 36.

In preparing the can tops for the canning step, the

V posed after the removal of element 31.

clips 22 and 24 are'e'ngaged in their respective slots 42 and 44 with the bight portion of each clip at the slot and the long legs radially inwardly extending and overlying the upper face of the plate while the short legs underlie the same. Legs 66 and 68 overlie and underlie, respectively, the slit 58 and embrace the same to keep the severed portions from separating. The plastic disc is closely associated with the underside of the plate 20 and covers the same along with the short legs '62 and 68, as seen best in Figure 3.

The assembled can top is placed in the feeding mechanism of a canning machine and after the food or beverage has been placed in the can vC, the cover or can top is downwardly fed and the flange 36 thereof and the peripheral portion 37 of the plastic disc is formed as a seam 72 with the flange 18 of the upper end of the can in a substantially conventional fashion with the exception that the seal between cover or can top and can is 'not provided by solder'or the like but is effected by bonding The resulting portion 64 in the slot 42 to the dotted line position 66,

the short leg 62 moving therewith to the dotted line position .62 at the same time it engages the underside of the semi-circular portion 27 and lifts the same to the dotted line position at 27'. The leg 60 may then be bent backwardly out of the way and a finger is engaged against the periphery of portion 27' to lift the same'to the position 27", the action simulating pivoting about the junctures 54 and 56. Next, the black clip 24 which holds the portions slitted at 58 together is moved to the dotted line position 24' to loosen the semi-circular portion 29 from the peripheral portion of the can top. Then the semicircular portion 27" is moved downwardly to the position By gripping the two portions 27 and 29 (see Figure.

4) between the fingers and rocking the same back and forth a few times, a fracture will occur at each of the junctures at 54 and 56 and the folded element 31 comprised of the two semi-circular portions can be removed.

The reason the red clip is first manipulated is that the semi-circular portion not having the slit 58 can'more easily be manipulated as required.

The element 31 is shown best in Figure 5 and, as there F shown, one quarter 33 has been bent through 180 from the dotted line position to the full line position substantially coplanar with the semi-circular portion 27, providinga sharp edge at 35' and a rounded edge at 39. The element 31 may safely be gripped by the hand about the folded portion with the rounded edge 39 and the edge 35 can then be employed to cut the frangible disc 26 ex- The food or beverage may then be dispensed.

It will 'be seen from the foregoing that I have provided an improved arrangement which will fulfill all of the objects hereinbefore set forth. Of course, various mechanical substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the real spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Reference is made to my co-pending applications Serial No. 184,236, filed September 11',- 19 50, and now abandoned, Serial No. 318,130, filed October 31, 1952, and Serial No. 338,008, filed February 20, 1953, for.

disclosures relating to similar subject matter.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a can opening arrangement wherein it is unnecessary to effect any the operation of conventional can-openers, fallings into the food to become involved in human consumption, is

entirely obviated. 7 Furthermore, in the embodiment shown the removal of the can top portion providing the opening is entirely effected while the frangible disc maintains the seal.

I claim:

l. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to that of'the can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends or" the other slit, the major length of each slit being spaced from the respective portion of the other slit so as to define .a can top portion substantially separate from the periphery of said can top and bridging said slits, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said can top portion in substantially planar relation with the periphery of said can top and hand operated to displace at least part of said can top portion from the periphery, and, frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged.

a can top portion substantially separate from the periph:

cry of said can, top, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said can. top portion in substantially planar relation with the periphery of said can top and hand operated to separate at least part of said can top portion from, the periphery, and frangible sealing'means for effecting a sealing closurefor the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon, said first recited means including at least one substantially U-shaped clip engaged through a slot in'the periphery of said can top.

3. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to thatof the can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating, adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major length of each slit being spaced from the respective portion. of the other slit so as to define a can top. portion substantially separate from the periphery of said can top, means carried by said can top for. normally maintaining said can top portion in sub-- stantially planar relation with the periphery of said can top and hand operated to separate at least part of said can top portion from the periphery, and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged, thereon, said first recited means including a pair of substantially U-shaped ends' of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major length of each slit'being spaced from the-respective portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from the periphery of said can top, means carried by saidcan top for normally maintaining said can top portion in substantially planar relation with the periphery of said can'top and hand operated; to separate at least part of said can top portion from the periphery, and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top, is engaged thereon, said first recited means including at least one substantially U-shaped clip engaged through a slot in the periphery of said can top,'and said can. top. portion having a slit extending from one of said slitsand, adapted. tohave said clip embrace the same.

5. A handropenable can top comprising a substantially Meme flat plate of a shape similar to that of the can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major length of each slit being spaced from the respective portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from the periphery of said can top in bridging relation with the slits upon both sides of the top, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said can top portion in substantially planar relation with the periphery of said can top and hand operated to displace and force outwardly at least part of said can top portion from the periphery, and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon, said frangible sealing means including a section of thin plastic material that is non-toxic, non-deleterious and substantially unaffected by a wide range of temperatures.

6. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially flat plate of a shape similar to that of the can -to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major length of each slit being spaced from the respective portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from the periphery of said can top in bridging relation with the slits upon both sides of the top, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said can top portion in substantially planar relation with the periphery of said can top and hand operated to displace and force outwardly at least part of said can top portion from the periphery, and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon, said frangible sealing means including a section of thin plastic material that is non-toxic, non-deleterious and substantially unaffected by a wide range of temperatures, said section of plastic material being carried by the underside of said can top so as to be adapted to be fed by a conventional can top feeding mechanism.

7. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially circular and flat disc provided with a conventional peripheral flange adapted to be seamed with the flange at the open top of a can, a pair of substantially semi-circular slits in said disc with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the corresponding ends of the other slit so as to provide oppositely disposed, narrow, frangible joinders between the inner substantially circular can top portion defined by said slits and the peripheral portion, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said circular can top portion substantially coplanar with said peripheral portion and hand operated to separate at least one semi-circular part of said circular portion from said peripheral portion so as to facilitate removal of the circular portion, and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon.

8. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially circular and flat disc provided with a conventional peripheral flange adapted to be seamed with the flange at the open top of a can, a pair of substantially semi-circular slits in said disc with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the corresponding ends of the other slit so as to provide oppositely disposed, narrow, frangible joinders between the inner substantially circular can top portion defined by said slits and the peripheral portion, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said circular can top portion substantially coplanar with said peripheral portion and hand operated to separate at least one semi-circular part of said circular portion from said peripheral portion so as to facilitate removal of. the circular portion, and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon, said first recited means including a pair of substantially U-shaped clips engaged through slots in the periphery of said can top adjacent medial portions 6 of said slits and providing portions overlying and underlying said circular can top portion.

9. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially circular and flat disc provided with a conventional peripheral flange adapted to be seamed with the flange at the open top of a can, a pair of substantially semi-circular slits in said disc with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the corresponding ends of the other slit so as to provide oppositely disposed, narrow, frangible joinders between the inner substantially circular can top portion defined by said slits and the peripheral portion, means carried by said can top for normally maintaining said circular can top portion substantially coplanar with said peripheral portion and hand operated to separate at least one semi-circular part of said circular portion from said peripheral portion so as 'to facilitate removal of the circular portion, and frangible sealing means for efiecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon, said first recited means including a pair of substantially U-shaped clips engaged through slots in the periphery of said can top adjacent medial portions of said slits and providing portions overlying and underlying said circular can top portion, and said circular can top portion having a radial slit extending from one of said slits and adapted to have one of said clips embracing the same.

10. A hand-openable can top comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to that of the can to which it is to be applied, a pair of slits in said plate with the ends of one slit terminating adjacent the respective ends of the other slit, the major length of each slit being spaced from the respective portion of the other slit so as to define a can top portion substantially separate from the periphery of said can top, means carried by said can top and bridging said slits for normally maintaining said can top portion in substantially planar relation with the periphery of said can top, said means being hand openable and fulcruming on one side against the plate to displace at least a part of said can top portion from the periphery and frangible sealing means for effecting a sealing closure for the can top opening when said can top is engaged thereon.

11. A hand-openable top for a container comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to that of the container to which it is to be applied, said top having a slit formation partially outlining a displaceable portion attached to said top plate, means attached to the top between the periphery thereof and said displaceable portion for manually applying pressure to the underside of said displaceable portion to effect only outward opening movement of said displaceable portion while attached to said top plate so as to define an opening through which the contents of the container can be removed, and a sealing means for maintaining a seal across the slit formation.

12. A hand-openable top for a container comprising a substantially fiat plate of a shape similar to that of the container to which it is to be applied, said top having a pair of juxtaposed displaceable portions separate from said can top by a pair of slits, both ends of each slit terminating adjacent a corresponding end of the opposing slit so as to provide narrow joinder portions, means for normally maintaining said displaceable portions in a closed relationship with respect to the surrounding top plate, and manually operable means carried by the top for applying pressure to the underside of said displaceable portions to effect only outward movement of said displaceable portions while attached to said top plate so as to define an opening through which the contents can be removed.

13. A hand-openable top for a container comprising a substantially flat plate of a shape similar to that of the container to which it is to be applied, said top having a pair of juxtaposed displaceable portions separate from said can top by a pair of slits, both ends of each slit terminating adjacent a corresponding end of the opposite slit so as to provide narrow joinder portions, means for manually operable means-carried bythe topffor'applying pressure to the undersides of'said displaceable portions to;

effect only outward movement of said displaceable portions While attached to said top plate so as to define an openingthrough which the contents can be removed; said narrow joinder portions being frangible, and a sealing means for maintaining a seal across the slit formation, said pair of displaceable portions being removable for access to the contents of'the' container.

7 14; A hand-openable top for a container comprising a substantially flat plate formed to be secured along its periphery to a containerwall and having a portion separable therefrom in part'along' apredetermined line andin part permanently joined thereto, and manual means nianipulable from the top side of the plate and extending across said line on the underside of-said portion for applying pressure to theunderside of the portion to bend the latter outwardly.

15. A hand-operable top for a container comprising i a substantially'flat plate formed to be secured along its periphery to an edge of a container wall and having a portion separable therefrom in part along a predetermined line and in part permanently joined thereto for bending and a manually manipulable elongate member lying over the top side of the plate and formed to effect upon manipulation the application ofpr essureagainst'the underside ofsaid portion to impart outwardopening movementthereto; 7

1 6. A hand-operable topfor a container comprising a'substantially flat plate formed to be securedalong its periphery to an edge of a container wall and having a portion separable therefrom'in part along a predetermined line and in part permanently joined thereto for bending and a manually manipulable elongate member lying over said portion and substantially parallel with thestop side of the plate and carrying a means to efiect upon manipulation an outward thrust against the underside of said portion to impart outward opening movement thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,361,592 Kurt Dec. 7, 1920 2,082,760 Berni u June 1,1937 2,092,671 Hildebrandt Sept, 7, 1937 2,124,522 Batdorf July 16, 71 938 2,210,225 Walensky Aug. 6, 1940 2,271,062 Courtney v Ian; 27, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 113,152 Australia May 20, 1941 988,719 France May 9, 1951 

